The Health and Wellbeing Board of Merton Council met on Tuesday 23 June 2026 to discuss the progress of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Year 2 action plan priorities, review the Better Care Fund 2026/2027 plan, and receive updates on joined-up services. The meeting also included a development session for the Board itself.

Health and Wellbeing Strategy Year 2 Action Plan Priorities

The Board was scheduled to review the progress of the Merton Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030, focusing on priorities 1-4 for Year 2. The strategy, approved in March 2025, outlines a five-year plan to improve the health and wellbeing of Merton residents. The Look-back, Look-forward process was in place to review Year 1 actions, identify what has worked, and inform future actions. Senior Responsible Officers (SROs), officers, and stakeholders were involved in shaping the Year 2 actions.

The four key priorities for the strategy are:

• Start Strong: This priority focuses on children and young people, aiming to ensure system-wide support for their health and safety, tackle child poverty, sustain the Family Hubs approach, develop models for healthy weight in educational settings, and promote physical activity. Year 2 actions include finalising an integrated strategy for child poverty and developing a model for healthy weight in schools.
• Focus on Prevention: This priority aims to address behavioural risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, alcohol use, and physical inactivity, while promoting mental wellbeing and focusing on equity for those at higher risk. Year 2 actions include delivering a prevention exemplar for cardiovascular disease prevention, implementing the Eat Well, Be Active strategy, and raising awareness of vaccination benefits.
• Strong Communities: This priority focuses on collaboration with the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS), ensuring the voices of seldom-heard groups inform decision-making, and building capacity within the VCS for evaluation. Year 2 actions include developing a new vision and strategy for 2027 with Merton Connected, reviewing mechanisms for engaging underrepresented groups, and supporting the VCS in developing a robust evidence base.
• Healthy Places: This priority aims to create healthier, greener, and more sustainable environments by implementing the Local Plan, Health Impact Assessments, and the Walking and Cycling Strategy. Year 2 actions include implementing the Walking, Wheeling and Cycling strategy, embedding health and wellbeing in planning, and improving housing quality with a focus on damp, mould, and overcrowding.

The Board was asked to note the updates against Year 1 actions and endorse the proposed Year 2 action plan for priorities 1-4. A full review of actions for the Joined-up services priority and its Year 2 action plan was scheduled for October 2026.

Better Care Fund 2026/2027 Plan

The Board was scheduled to review the Better Care Fund (BCF) plan for 2026/2027. The BCF programme supports the integration of health, housing, and social care to promote person-centred care and sustainability. The plan for 2026/2027 outlines how BCF funding will be used to support Merton's transition to an integrated, prevention-focused model of neighbourhood health and social care.

Key themes for the BCF include integration, independence, discharge and flow, prevention, digital support, and workforce collaboration. The plan details ambitions for key metrics, including reducing emergency admissions for people aged 65+, reducing the average length of discharge delay, and reducing long-term admissions to residential and nursing care homes.

The rationale for the BCF funding is to support the strategic shift to neighbourhood-based integrated care, enable proactive and preventative care to reduce hospital demand, and strengthen rapid response and intermediate care capacity. The plan also outlines how BCF funding will be used to expand community-based alternatives through virtual wards and embed a home first approach to support safe and timely discharge.

The BCF plan for Merton for 2026/27 was jointly developed and agreed between NHS South West London ICB, Merton Council, and wider partners. Governance for managing BCF funding expenditure, assessing impact, value for money, and continuous improvement is in place through the Merton Provider Alliance and the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Joined-up Services Progress Report

A verbal update was scheduled to be provided on the progress of joined-up services. This item aimed to inform the Board about the ongoing work to integrate health and care services across Merton, aligning with the broader goals of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Better Care Fund. The report pack indicated that work with partners across the system had taken place to design what an integrated neighbourhood team would look like in Merton, with key next steps including mobilising test and change sites.

Health and Wellbeing Board Development

A verbal update was also scheduled to be provided on the development of the Health and Wellbeing Board itself. This would likely cover any changes to the Board's guidance, functionality, or its role in decision-making, particularly in relation to signing off neighbourhood health plans.